Unexpected and unprecedented is how most people would describe the outbreak of COVID-19. The pandemic has impacted all aspects of life and for business leaders, the challenges have been daunting. CEOs have made tough decisions while remaining focused on supporting their employees, customers, and communities.<\/p>\n
Very few people in any organization understand the challenges faced by the CEO. While key employees and executives offer important input and feedback, there are many issues a CEO simply cannot discuss with them.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, unlike the CEO, employees do not have an overview on all aspects of the business and rarely appreciate the pressure and consequences of decisions a CEO must make. As a result, the position of the CEO can be a very lonely place. Here is where a CEO Roundtable (also known as a CEO peer advisory group) can help<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It is a confidential forum for like-minded leaders from non-competing industries who meet regularly to discuss the challenges they face and find options to resolve them through the experience of the other members.<\/p>\n Since members have no stake in one another\u2019s business, there\u2019s an openness that\u2019s often lacking in meetings with senior management teams. They candidly discuss their insecurities and concerns, which is not always easy when they sit at the top of an organization. This is when the true value is realized.<\/p>\n While COVID-19 is unprecedented, the Great Recession that took place in Canada from 2008-2009 also had a severe impact on businesses. Matias Cofounder, Steve McGowan had recently joined Innovators Alliance had to lay off 75% of his employees and cut costs across the board during the recession. Steve McGowan decided to remain an Innovators Alliance member because he found other members had gone through similar problems in the past and were able to provide support, guidance, and experience to navigate through the turbulent times.<\/p>\n \u201cAt Innovators Alliance you are with people who are independent, supportive, who have gone through what you have gone through, and by staying a member of IA [Innovators Alliance] I was able to have that additional support to get me through those trying times and was well worth staying.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nWhat Is a CEO Roundtable?<\/h2>\n
Navigating Through a Crisis<\/h3>\n